Judith Holshouser

Judith "Judy" Sue Holshouser passed away Saturday, June 30, 2018, at Landmark Hospital of Cape Girardeau.

She was born Nov. 10, 1943, to Ruddle and Allene Graves Gleason in Cape Girardeau. She was the youngest of six children. She married Thomas C. Holshouser on July 15, 1966, and they were married for 43 years before Tom's passing in 2010.

Judy graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1961 and Southeast Missouri State University in 1965. Judy continued her education, completing her master's degree in administration and counseling plus 30 hours.

She devoted 35 years of her life to educating the state's teens. Judy spent a vast majority of her years in vocational education. She may be the only educator who started the first year of the new vocational building on Clark Avenue and also the first year in the existing Career and Technology Center. Judy was named the first Educator of the Year in 1995 and retired from the Cape Girardeau Public School District in 2003.

In addition to her career, Judy was involved in many local organizations including St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Red Hat Society, a garden club, a book club and several bridge groups.

Judy is survived by her sister, Marilyn Stevenson of Riverside, California; her brothers, Joe (Joan) Gleason of San Dimas, California, and Ken (Sue) Gleason of Cape Girardeau. Judy also is survived by her daughter, Kimberly (Brian) Link, and two grandchildren, William and Anna of St. Louis. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and her sister, Jean McLain.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. The memorial service will be held immediately following at 3 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Mark Martin officiating. An entombment ceremony will be held for the immediate family at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703, or a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.